Pressing machine



E.' f1; coucHI PREsslNG MACHINE.'

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I8. I9I6.

Patented Sept. v- 19; 1922-.

4 SHEETS-smet I.,

F. 1..,coucH. PRESSING MACHINE. APLICATION FILED AUG. i8, |916.

PatentedSept. 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ez/sainz.'

' Zzs tram! s' PRESSING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Augms, |916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

v PatentedSept. 19,*1922.

Patented Sept. 19, 1922.

FORREST J'. COUCH, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO.THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, F CINCINNATI, OHIO, A COIRPORTION 02E"r ?RESSING MACHINE.

Application led August'lS, 1916. Serial No. 115,658.

State of New York, have inventedy certain new and useful Improvements in Pressing Machines, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to `pressing ina' chines, and more particularly to machines for pressing certain kinds of flat work', such as underwear and like wearing apparel. One common type of such machine comprises a stationa heated bed, a presser member movable relatively thereto,and a work'carrying device which is moved into position between the bed and presser 'for the pressing operation.

One object of the invention is to provide means for moistening the work prior to the pressing operatioii and for raising its nap after the pressing operation, for example, by applying a suitable moisture carrying medium, such as steam, thereto, in a manner to improve the eiect of the pressing memv bers and obtain a superior finish. A further l A object of the invention is toprovide moistenor steaming devices for the purposes described which operate conjointly with or in proper sequence or relation to the devices forfeeding the work to the machine and pressing it therein, thereby securing improved results or effects without extra care or eort by the operator.

Further objects of the invention.' are in `part obvious and-in part will appear more in detail hereinafter. l Y

The invention comprises the pressing machine hereinafter described and'claimed.

40 In the drawings, which represent oneembodimentof the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2 is an end view from the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the controlling mechanism; Fig. 5 is avsectional elevation onthe line`5-5', Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a detail section of the steaming device.

The machine shown in the drawings, except for the added parts hereinafter more fully described, is of the same form and construction as that shown in the atent to D. M. Cooper 1,139,346, granted to which reference ma be had or a more complete disclosure'. .or present purposes as shown,1is necessary.l Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises a suitable frame 1 car ing astationary heated bed 2, a co-operating -movable presser member 3` and side rails or guides 4` to receive andv support the movable work holders 5 upon which the work to be pressed is laid.' Said rails extend in both-directions endwise beyond the ed es of the presser and' bed and the work ho ders are moved alongthe-same from the feeding end of the machine to pressing position 4and then outat the delivery end. While all the machine operations may be manuall' and independently controlled the machine is preferably so organized -that the operationof a single controlling lever or device causes onel complete cycle of operations of the, machine, during which a newly filled work holder is fedinto the pressing position, the `previous work holder is ejected, andthe presser. is movedA into pressing relation with the bed and then returned to normal,position'readyfor another ipressing operation. The mechanism for e cting these operations will vnow be bri'eiiy described. v l

v Feeding ale/vices.

The driving motor 10 is on a shaft 11 carrying a worm 12 driving a worm gear 13 on a sleeve 14 to whichvit,attached a constantly 'rotating driving member 15. Said member may be connected, by thejcl'utch devices to be described, to a shaft lcarrying two crank arms 17 whose crankl pins 18 90 -work in slots in oscillating levers 19 connected by links 2() to followers or-travelers 21 sliding in the guide rails 4. Whenever the clutch devices are actuated the shaft 16 "position, and the new work holder pushes out the one alreadyin position between the y pressing members.`

y @met daag. v For coupling the shaft 16'to the conits' stantly rotating driving member 15 the latter is provided with clutch teeth or pins 22 in position to be engaged by a cri-operating i-io clutch member 23 pivoted on a disc pinned to shaft 16. Said clutchY member 1s moved into clutching engagement with the pins 22 by a spring 25, but is normally held back by a stop device 26 carried by a shaft 27 to which is connected an arm 28 connectedby link 29 to the foot treadle 301 Said treadle is provided with a counterweight 31 which normally holds the stop 26 in the positionshown in Fig. 4, but when said treadle is depressed the stop device is withdrawn from engagement with the clutch member 23 which swings to clutching position and the next pin 22 coming around engages said device and rotates the shaft 16 until the stop 26, whichl has been released, aga-in engages the clutch and disconnects the shaft from its driving member.

2 0 Presser movement. I

,e The -movable presser 3, to which' the work holders are fedfg'is moved upwardly toward the bed by toggle links 35 actuated by a trav- .eller 36 threaded on a screw 37 whose shaft carries a gear 38 driven by a pinion 39 0n the shaft of motor 40. The proper movement of the presser is obtainedV by controlling the circuits to said motor so as to cause it to rotatein one direction to advance the presser, to stop and hold the pressure, and to rotate in the other direction to` retract the presser.- These effects are produced by a suitable switch preferably operated or con'- trolled by or in timed relation with the feeding devices, as will be described.

Motor switch control,

The motor switch has two contacts 41 c onnected by leads'42 to the motor, one of said contacts *causing` the motor to rotate in one direction and one in the other. tacts co-operate with a movable circuit closing contact 43 on a pivoted arm 44 connected by a link 45 to an oscillating arm 46 having yielding connection at 47 to an arm 48 provided with a pin or roller 49 in the path of movement of two oppositely inclined cams 50 on a camwheel 51. Said -wheel is loosely rotatable on a. shaft 52 constantly driven through a worm 53` and worm wheel 54 from the constantly rotating sleeve 14. The cam wheel is connected at intervals to rotate with said shaft 52 by clutch devices similar in principle to those before described, and which it is unnecessary here to describe in detail, except that' said devices include two tail pieces 55 engaged by a stop device 564 on anoscillating shaft 57 having an arm 58 whose end is in the path of movement of a'lever 59 rotating with the shaft 16.

When shaft-16 isrotated the lever 59 en# gages the arm 58 and -disengages the stop device 56 from the clutch tail piece 55, thereby closing the clutch and producing rota- @5 tion of the cam wheel 51, This occurs when Said con- Laaaeoe v Steamz'ng Ze/veces.

The machine so far described is the same as .that illustrated in the Cooper patent referred to. lt remains to describe additional features required by the present invention.

These comprise either or both of two con-y duits 60 lying opposite the end edges of the stationary lbed and parallel therewith. Said conduits may be of any suitable form, but preferably are concaved slightly on their inner faces, as at' 61, and provided with a long narrow slot or a series of spaced small ports or openings 62 in their upper inner portions adapted to discharge a cloud of steam or other moisture carrying medium downwardly along the edge of the bed. The conduititself serves as aguard to concentrate the steam cloud closeI to the bed while a shield or apron 63 extends from said conduit to the bed and also outwardly from the conduit, to further the concentration of the4 steam upon the work. rlhe lobed bottom 60 of the conduit forms a trap to receive and collect water of condensation and prevent it from dropping on the work, and said 10o conduits are preferably provided withdrain cocks 60". The'conduits 60 are attached or connected to supply pipes 64 cojniinunicating with the hollow chamber 65 of the bed, which is heated by a steam supply through a conduit 66. 1n each pipe 64 is a valve 67 carrying a bracket 68 having a bearing for a rock shaft 69 extending across the bed from valve to valve, and provided with two' arms 70 'carrying adjustable screw abut- 11@ ments 71 lying above the valve stems 72. Shaft 69 also carries an arm 73 connected by a link 74 to one arm of a bell cranklever 75, whose other .arm is connected by al link 76 to an arm 77 on a. shaft 78 support- 11.5

ed in a bracket 79 attached to the frame and provided with a second arm 8.0 having a roller 81 lying opposite aI cam 82 fixed to the shaft 16. Said roller is held against its cam by a pressure spring 83 mounted in a 12@ p'ocket 84 of the lever 80 and a pocket 85 on the shaft supporting bracket. The face of cam 82 is of such peripheral? l length, and said cam is so timed on its shaft 16 that when shaft 16 is rotated to start the 125 feeding devices the lever and link mechanism described isloperated to4 press the abut'- inents 71 down upon the stems 72 and open the steaming valves. While the new work holder moves` to pressing position a cloud la@ perature raises the Anap the goods preparatory to the pressing operation and secures improved yresults therefrom. The pressed goods on the work holder being ejectedare also subjected to a cloud of steam which mingles with the fabric and by rising therefrom at its high temon the goods and generally improves their appearance.

Either steaming device may bel rendered inoperative by screwing u its abutment screw 7l until it does not dlrpress'its valve stem, which vmay be taken advantage of for certain classes of work requiring onlymoistening before pressing or steamingy after pressmg.

Y The frame'is also provided with brackets v86supporting two parallel tracks or guides .87, which may be angle irons with their horizontalianges extending inwardly. Said tracks extend from end to end of the machine and serve asa return device' for the empty trays. They are inclined downwardly'at the delivery end of the machine, as at 88, and the operator, after taking off the work tilts the empty tray upwardly to engage the, inclined track portions land pushes the tray back along the tracks. Each tray pushes along those ahead of it and therefore enables the operator to return all empty trays to the feeding end of the machine to be refilled with work.

The 'steaming devices operate in timed relation with the work feeding and pressing devices and steam the goods only while the i work holders are moving toV and from pressing position, although by suitablel arrangement ofthe cam the steaming can be accomplished while the work holder is stationary,

ut nevertheless before and after the pressin While the work is being pressed, the

ro ler 71 is at a'low part of the can 8() and the steaming valves are closed. No extra care or effort ,of the operator is required but the steaming is effected automatically' by the movement of the mechanism.

What IA claim is L 1. The combination of platen type pressing members havingrelative vertlcal pressing movement, a work holder movable horizontally into and-out' ofpressing position between said members, means adjacent the edge of one of said members for directing moisture laden vapor upon the work on said holder, controlling means therefor adapted when operated to cause or cut 0H the supply of vapor to said means, and actuating means for said controlling means operating in timed relation with said movable work holder for causing the supply of said vapor as the holder moves to pressing position.

2. The combination of platen type pressing members having relative vertical pressing movement, a work holder movable horizontally into and out of presslng position between said members, means ladjacent the edge of one of said members for directing moisture laden vapor upon the work on said holder, controlling meansl therefor adapted when operated to cause or cut off the supply of vapor to said means, andactu- 'ating means for said controlling means operating in timed relation with said movable work rholder for causing the-supply of said vapor as the holder leaves pressing position.

3. The combination of platen typev pressing members having relative vertical presslng movement, a work holder movable horizontally into and out of pressing positionbetween said members, means adjacent the edge of one of said members for directing' moisturey laden vapor upon the work on said'- holder, controlling means therefor adapted when operated to cause or cut oli' the supply of vapor to said means, andvactuating means for said controlling vmeans operating in timed relation with said movable, work holder-for causing the supply of said vapor as the holder moves toward or away from preing position. l

4.. The combination of pressing members having relative vertical pressing movement,

sal

a work holder having a 'rigid frame supporting a flexible sheet on which the work is carried, said-work holder being* movable horizontally into vand out of pressing ,position between said members, means for sov moving said work holder, and means operating in timed relation wlth-'said work holder moving means for directing a stream of moisture laden vapor upon vthe upper surface of the work on said holder as it moves to pressing position.

5. The combination of pressing members having relativevertical pressing movement, va work holder having a rigid frame supporting a flexible sheet on which `the work is carried, said work holder beingmovablevv horizontally into vand out of pressing position between said members, means 'for so moving said work holder, and means operating in timed relation with. said workv holder, moving meansfor directing a stream of moisture .laden-vapor upon the upper surface of the work onsaid holder as it leavesA pressing position.

6. The combination of pressingmembers having relative vertical pressing movement, a Work holder having a'rigid frame supporting a flexible sheet onwhich the work is carried, said work holder being movable horizontally into and out of pressing position between said members, means for' so y moving said work holder, and means operating in timed relation. with said Work holder moving means for directing astream of moisture `laden vapor `upon the upper surface of the work` on said holder asit moves toward and from pressing position. v 7. The combination of preing members leso havin relative Vertical pressing movement, a wor holder having al rigid `frame supporting a flexible sheet on which the work 'is carried, means for moving said work holder horizontally into position between said pressing members,and lmeans operatpressing members, and means operating ing conjointly with said work holder moving means for directing a stream of moisture laden vapor upon the lupper vsurface of the work upon said holder as it moves to pressing position.

8. The combination of pressing members having relative verticah pressing movement, a work holder having a rigid frame supporting a flexible sheet on, which the work is carri means for ejecting said work holder from pressing position beneath said conjointly with said ejecting means for directing a stream of moisture laden vapor upon the upper surface of the workon said holder as it leaves pressing position.

9. The combination of platen type pressing members having relative vertical press- Maggio@ 10. The combination of pressing mem? bers having relative vertical pressing movement, a Work holder, means whereby said work holder may be moved horizontally fromv one side into pressing position be-l,

tween said pressing members and ejected from the opposite side of said members,

two hollow conduits lying along adjacent opposite edges of the upper pressing' member for supplying steam downwardly upon the Work on said holder, controlling means for permitting orcutting off the'supply of steam to said conduits, and actuating means for said ycontrolling means operating `in timed relation with. the movement .off said work holder.

11. The combination of platen type pressav ing members having relative vertical press? ing movement a work hollder` having f' ay rigid frame supporting a lexiblevsheet on which the work is carried, means for more` ing said work holder horizontally from* one side into position between said pressing members and for ejectin'g said work holder from the opposite side of said members, two hollow conduits lying along opposite edges of the upper pressing member and arranged to direct. two streams of .steam downwardly upon the work on said work holder, means for supplying steam to said conduits, and means operating in step with said work holder for controlling the connection of said conduits to the source of steam supply v In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

FORRE'ST J. COUCH. 

